If you have been struggling with dry, irritated, or eczema-prone skin, you’ve likely tried countless creams and lotions—often with mixed results.

Recently, many people have started turning to a more traditional option: beef tallow.

But where does it actually fit when it comes to caring for eczema-prone skin? And what should you realistically expect?

Eight years ago, my mom and I began our journey into clean skincare. Like many people trying to move away from conventional products, we experimented with everything we could find: cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, essential oils, carrier oils—you name it. We were searching for something simple, natural, and truly nourishing for the skin.

Then, a few years in, we stumbled upon tallow.

It came through a random YouTube video from a homesteader who raised her own cows and used tallow to make everything from body butters & balms to soaps & candles. Mom instantly remembered how her own grandmother used to use beef and goat tallow in her village back home in Pakistan.

In the Middle Ages, Tallow (and animal fats in general) were commonly used in candle-making and soap-making. Ancient Egyptians even used it for sun protection! They would render animal fats including tallow, and use as balms to keep skin supple and protect against the harsh sun. Tallow was a sustainable way of using a common byproduct to make healing creams and long-lasting soap.